Spike retainer



May 17. 1921.

H. o. CRIPPEN srm: RETAINER Filed July 1 1925 Q77'OE/VEZ Patented May 17, 1927.

UNITED STATES HERBERT-0. CRIPPEN, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SPIKE RETAINER.

Application filed July 18, 1925. Serial No. 44,438.

This invention relates to improvements in spike retainers, and has for one of its rincipal objects the provision of retaining means for spikes or the like, particularly a railroadspikes, whereby the spike or nail, upon being driven into place in conjunction with the retaining means of this invention, will be securely maintained in desired position.

One of the important objects of this in vention is to provide, in a spike, nail, or screw retaining means, an element which can be used in conjunction with an ordinary spike, nail, screw or the like without any adaptation or change in the spike or screw, and which can be applied thereto and used therewith without extra labor.

Still another important object of this invention is to rovide, in a retaining means particularly itir railroad spikes, elements which automatically spread when the spike is driven, so as to securely grip the material of the tie, and an additional element which is more or less automatically brought into retaining position with the head of the spike after the same is driven.

Other and further important objects of the invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the accompanying drawings and following specification.

The invention, in a preferred form, is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved spike retainer of this invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the spike retainer as adapted to an ordinary railroad spike and tie plate, and in preliminary driving position.

Figure 3 is a vertical view, partly in section, showing the spike and retainer as driven into position in conjunction with a rail, tie, and tie plate.

As shown in the drawings:

The reference numeral 10 indicates generally the body of the improved spike retainer of this invention, comprising essentially a metal plate or band of a width approximately the thickness of a tie plate, and bent at right angles in two places. as shown, to form a three-sided element, the front face thereof being left open.

Integral with the body 10 is a plurality of depending spur elements 14, preferably four in number, and with two on each side, as shown, the lower ends of these spur elements being pointed and formed straight on one side and slightly curved on the inner side so as to insure a spreading action in four different directions when driven.

Integral with the body 10 and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom, and preferably at the rear thereof, is a locking element 20, preferably in the form illus trated, with its edges slightly diverging and connected to the main body 10 by a narrower integral neck or the like 18. It will be noted that the point 22 at which the ele ment 18-20 springs from the main body 10, is at the bottom of a notch or the like cut into the body 10, this arrangement provid ing for a more suitable conforming of the locking element 20 to the head 24 of the spike 26, and further providing for a cooperation between the back of the member 20 and the corresponding portion of the opening in the tie plate 28 whereby the member 20 will be automatically bent upwardly from the position shown in Figures 1 and 2 into approximately a vertical position as the spike 26 is driven into the tie 30 through the tie plate 28.

As the members 14. penetrate the material of the tie 30 the beveled or curved inside edges 16 will assure a spreading of these members from the positions shown in Figure 1 into the outwardly and diverging position shown in Figure 3, whereby the locking elemeat 10 securely retained in position in the tie 30. The spreading of the-members 14 is along separate outward paths independent of the course of the spike and independent of each other, and this spreadin action also compresses the grain of the woo so as to prevent any tendency of the tie to split.

As shown in th drawings, the spurs 14 are so beveled or curved on their inside edges that spreading will take place in divergent directions, each spur usually follow ing a path substantially at right angles to those of the adjacent spurs.

\Vhenevcr it becomes necessary to withdraw the spike, the head 20 may be bent upwardly and rearwardly by means of a crowhar, under its broad end, after which the head of the spike may be gripped in any convenient manner and the spike withdrawn, the three-sided arrangement of the retainer providing an open space at the forward edge ot the spike, which readily permits the insertion and use of a crow-bar or other spike drawing tool.

It will be obvious that herein is provided a locking means for railroad spikes or the l ilce,rwhich, when used, will automatically act to retain a driven spike in desired position and without any danger of the spike pulling out or hecOlliing loose, even under the most severe conditions of service. Again, the locking element is so fastened as to allow of already Withdrawal of the spike in the event that such becomes 11(5C6F3St1ly, the loci-:- ingelement itself being at the same time securely retained in position and being practically proot against withdrawal without serious damage to the tie, i urther, the device can be economically manufactured and readily applied to thespiltes, tie plates, and rails already in use without modifying these elements in any way, and as the operation is practically automatic this rendeis the apparatus tool-proof and insures its correct action under all circumstances.

I am aware that many changes may he made and numerous details or construction varied throughout a wide range without departing from the principles ol this invention, and I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than us necessitated by the prior art.

l claim as my invention:

1. A spike retainer, comprising in combination, a hand termed to embrace a spike on three sides thereot, material gripping spurs integral with the hand and extending downwardly there'l'rom, and a spike head retaining means also integral with the hody,

said retaining ineans eoinprisii'ig an upii'ardly and outwardly extending projection, i line ol' junctuae of said projection with the iiody lower than the upper edge of the said hotly.

spike retainer, comprising in combination, a hand termed to cinhrace ll spike on three sides thereo'l, material gripping sp llS integral with the hand and extending downwardly tlieretroin, a spit-Le head retaining means also integral with the body, said retaining means comprising an upwardly and outwardly e ding projection, the line ol ju cture of sun projection with the hody being lower than the upper edge of the said body, and a pair ot notches in the body, the bottom ol' each notch coinciding with the atoresaid line at juncture.

in teatiniony whereof I allix my signature.

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